The Scottsbluff City Council considered the second reading of an ordinance amending residency requirements for membership on the Park, Cemetery and Tree Board. The ordinance text presented would amend Chapter 6, Article 2, Section 1 11 of the Scottsbluff Municipal Code to alter residency qualifications for board members.

Public comment included remarks from Cassandra Lawyer, a former Parks and Recreation board member, who thanked the council for bringing the ordinance forward and said the board benefits from the expertise of long-serving members. “They’re invaluable assets to the community,” Lawyer said, citing the contribution of named board members and expressing support for the ordinance.

Councilmembers discussed statutory context and possible amendment language. One councilmember (Jerry) said state law distinguishes a cemetery board and cited a statute amendment in February 2017, suggesting the council review statutory requirements before finalizing language. He proposed an amendment to allow up to three board members who live outside city limits to qualify if they are principal business owners with a physical business inside the city; he recommended grandfathering current nonresident members and improving onboarding and expectations for board members.

City staff said they were preparing updated onboarding materials and an information packet for all boards to clarify expectations, attendance and relevant ordinances.

No final vote on an amendment or final passage was recorded in the transcript; the item remained under discussion at second reading. Councilmembers indicated willingness to consider grandfathering current members and to work on clear onboarding materials to reduce future disputes.

The ordinance text in the record identified the municipal code section to be amended; city staff and councilmembers referenced the need to reconcile local ordinance text with state cemetery statutes amended in 2017.